White House games last-minute strategy to bolster Ukraine, including $20bn in loans and sweeping sanctions on Russia
Summary
The Biden administration has pledged a major surge in military aid to Ukraine, including hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, rockets, and armored vehicles by mid-January, as well as troop training outside Ukraine.
This package, combined with nearly $20 billion in loans backed by immobilized Russian assets and new sanctions on Russia, aims to bolster Ukraine’s position in the war and future negotiations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are engaging with Trump’s transition team as his administration signals potential policy shifts, including ending Ukraine’s NATO bid and possible territorial concessions.
Head of the People Power party claims there is a significant risk that president could order ‘extreme actions’
Summary
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces mounting pressure after his surprise declaration of martial law, later reversed, triggered backlash from across the political spectrum.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP), warned that Yoon poses a “great danger” to the country, citing evidence of plans to arrest political leaders during the brief martial law period.
The opposition plans an impeachment vote, and some PPP lawmakers have signaled support, though others oppose risking political instability.
Americans turn to social media to discuss dire experiences at hands of health insurance companies
Summary
The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has ignited outrage over the state of U.S. healthcare.
While his murder shocked many, online reactions highlighted public frustration with private insurers, citing denied care, high costs, and systemic bureaucracy.
UnitedHealthcare, a major industry player, has faced scrutiny for practices perceived as prioritizing profit over patients.
The attack, which appears premeditated, underscores rising tensions around healthcare inequality.
Experts see this as part of a broader trend toward violence over societal disputes, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the American healthcare system.
Republican representative accuses agency’s acting director at hearing over response to Trump assassination attempts
Summary
A U.S. House hearing on the Secret Service’s response to assassination attempts against Donald Trump devolved into a shouting match between acting director Ronald Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX).
Fallon accused Rowe of endangering President Biden and Vice President Harris for a photo op during a 9/11 event, which Rowe denied, calling the accusations politically motivated.
The hearing follows criticism of the Secret Service for failing to prevent the July attack on Trump, which killed an attendee.
Rowe admitted to “abject failure” and outlined reforms, including drone surveillance and better coordination with local authorities.
A final taskforce report is forthcoming.
EU regulators have ordered TikTok to retain data related to Romania's presidential election. Bucharest has released intelligence linking Moscow to surprise pro-Russian winner Calin Georgescu.
Summary
The EU has ordered TikTok to preserve data from Romania’s presidential election, investigating allegations of Russian interference under the Digital Services Act.
Pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu, who campaigned exclusively via viral TikTok videos, unexpectedly led the first election round, defying polls.
Romanian intelligence and a €1 million campaign price tag, despite Georgescu claiming zero spending, have raised suspicions of Moscow’s involvement.
Romania’s prosecutors are probing his campaign for money laundering.
Georgescu will face pro-EU candidate Elena Lasconi in a December 8 runoff.
France's government has fallen. Germany can't expect a new one until June. Just as Donald Trump prepares to take office in the US, the EU powerhouses face political disarray and economic contraction.
Summary
France and Germany, the EU’s key powerhouses, are in political disarray at a critical time.
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned after his government was toppled in a no-confidence vote, leaving the divided National Assembly struggling to form a new government.
Meanwhile, Germany’s coalition government dissolved, with elections set for February and no new government expected until June.
This turmoil, with looming economic contraction in both countries, threatens EU stability as Trump returns to the White House, potentially reigniting trade disputes and reducing U.S. support for Ukraine.
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased again this week, slipping to its lowest level since late October.
Summary
The average U.S. 30-year mortgage rate fell to 6.69%, its lowest since October, down from 6.81% last week and 7.03% a year ago, according to Freddie Mac. Rates on 15-year mortgages also declined to 5.96%.
Mortgage applications have risen, boosted by lower rates and increased inventory, though high home prices continue to challenge affordability.
The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut has influenced borrowing costs, and further cuts are anticipated.
Economists predict mortgage rates will remain near 6.5% through 2025, limiting relief for many potential buyers.
The House has shut down Democrats’ efforts to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Summary
House Republicans blocked efforts to release the Ethics Committee's report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, prolonging uncertainty over allegations of sexual misconduct despite his resignation from Congress.
Democrats pushed for transparency, accusing Republicans of hiding credible allegations. Speaker Mike Johnson argued that publishing the report sets a bad precedent.
While ethics reports have rarely been released post-resignation, tensions remain high on the bipartisan committee.
Gaetz denies wrongdoing, and DOJ previously closed its sex trafficking probe without charges. The report's fate is unclear as the congressional session nears its end.
A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.
Summary
The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has drawn attention due to the phrase “deny, defend, depose” reportedly written on the shooter’s ammunition, echoing criticism of insurer practices like “delay, deny, defend.”
UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest U.S. health insurers, has faced scrutiny over claim denials and delays, including a Senate report highlighting issues with Medicare Advantage prior authorizations.
The killing has sparked public outrage and dark humor on social media, reflecting widespread frustration with health insurers, which many blame for rising healthcare costs and access barriers.
One month after Missouri approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to abortion, legislators have proposed a flurry of bills to tighten abortion access or raise the bar for future amendments driven by voter initiatives.
Summary
Following Missouri voters’ narrow approval of a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, GOP lawmakers are moving to undermine it.
Proposed measures include enshrining “personhood” at conception, tying abortion restrictions to bans on gender-affirming care, and adding barriers to constitutional amendments by requiring majorities in rural districts.
Critics say these efforts defy voter will and could complicate other reproductive technologies like IVF.
Meanwhile, legal challenges to Missouri’s near-total abortion ban are ongoing, with Planned Parenthood seeking to resume services in key cities.
The Republican push reflects broader conservative strategies to counter progressive ballot initiatives.
The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind Project 2025, is reemerging with a campaign to back President-elect Donald Trump's imperiled Cabinet selections.
Summary
The Heritage Foundation, a key architect of Project 2025, is spending $1 million to pressure Republican senators into confirming Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, despite concerns over his views on women in combat and allegations of misconduct.
Project 2025, a conservative blueprint tied to Donald Trump’s incoming administration, aims to reshape the federal government by reclassifying jobs to ease firings and curtailing agencies.
Heritage President Kevin Roberts framed Trump’s second term as pivotal for advancing conservative priorities, aligning with groups like the America First Policy Institute.
Debate over Hegseth highlights tensions within the GOP.
The DPRK soldiers are expected to be used in the fight for the Kursk region of Russia
Summary
North Korean troops sent to Russia to support its war in Ukraine remain sidelined due to poor training and logistical issues, according to Western officials.
These soldiers are expected to relieve Russian troops in secondary positions to free up forces for frontline battles in regions like Kursk, though they are unlikely to see combat in eastern Ukraine.
The war continues to take a massive toll, with over 700,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded since February 2022, while both sides face challenges replacing losses.
Russia’s reliance on poorly trained recruits and prison conscripts highlights its growing manpower issues.
House Speaker pledges to ‘take a blowtorch to the administrative state and reduce the size and scope of government’
Summary
House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to cut 75% of federal agencies, reducing them from 428 to 99, in collaboration with Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), led by Vivek Ramaswamy.
Johnson’s agenda includes defunding PBS, Planned Parenthood, and curbing the “administrative state” through legislation and executive orders under Donald Trump.
Critics warn such cuts would impact jobs, healthcare, and essential services.
Backed by recent Supreme Court rulings limiting agency authority, Johnson and DOGE aim to reduce federal regulations, sparking significant debate over these drastic proposals.
State’s governor, a former member of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro’s cabinet, said critics can ‘go to hell’
Summary
A viral video of a São Paulo police officer pushing an unarmed man off a bridge has sparked outrage across Brazil, highlighting police brutality and impunity under Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.
The man survived, but the officer was arrested, and 12 others suspended.
Critics link the rise in police violence to Freitas’s administration, which aligns with far-right policies of Jair Bolsonaro.
Freitas and his public safety secretary, Guilherme Derrite, have faced backlash for endorsing deadly policing tactics targeting marginalized communities, accused of using violence for political gain.
Move comes as board of regents is expected to weigh other rollbacks to the university’s DEI initiatives
Summary
The University of Michigan has ended diversity statement requirements for faculty hiring, promotions, and tenure as part of ongoing cuts to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
This decision follows scrutiny of Michigan’s $250 million DEI spending since 2016, with minimal increases in Black student enrollment.
Critics warn the regents’ proposed DEI rollbacks could go further, including potential defunding.
Faculty and students have protested these changes, arguing they undermine core university values.
The regents cite a need to reassess DEI efforts, emphasizing “diversity of thought.”
President-elect reportedly plans to send people to countries they have no ties to as part of his attack on immigration
Summary
The Bahamas has rejected a proposal from Donald Trump’s transition team to accept deported migrants from other nations, a key part of his plan to overhaul U.S. immigration policy.
Prime Minister Philip Davis’s office stated there have been no further discussions since their refusal.
Trump’s deportation strategy, which targets countries like Panama and Grenada, raises concerns about displacing individuals to nations they have no ties to.
This proposal aligns with Trump’s campaign promises of mass deportations and is overseen by Tom Homan, a hardline immigration official from Trump’s previous administration.
“When other’s human lives are deemed worthless, it is not surprising to have others view your life of no value as well,” wrote one medical doctor, whose identity the Daily Beast confirmed.
Summary
Reddit’s r/medicine moderators deleted a thread where doctors and users harshly criticized murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Comments, including satirical rejections of insurance claims for gunshot wounds, targeted UHC’s reputation for denying care to boost profits.
Despite the removal, similar discussions continue, with medical professionals condemning UHC’s business practices under Thompson’s leadership, which a Senate report recently criticized for denying post-acute care.
Thompson, shot in what appears to be a targeted attack, led a company notorious for its high claim denial rates, fueling ongoing debates about corporate ethics in healthcare.
False claims about hidden Plan B "pill" in pregnancy tests resurface online
The "pill" inside pregnancy tests is not an emergency contraceptive, but a desiccant tablet meant to regulate moisture.
Summary
False claims about Plan B pills hidden in pregnancy tests have resurfaced online, sparked by viral TikTok videos.
The tablet inside tests is a desiccant to prevent moisture, not an emergency contraceptive.
Medical experts, including Clearblue, debunk these claims, noting Plan B cannot work if a pregnancy has already begun.
The misinformation highlights gaps in sexual health education, as fewer than half of U.S. states require teaching about contraception.
Educators and doctors are using the issue to emphasize critical thinking and the importance of verifying online information.
Police continue to zero in on the identity of gunman as they release two photographs of his face
Summary
The NYPD released unmasked photos of the suspect in the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Dec. 4.
Surveillance footage traced the suspect’s movements before and after the crime, including his escape on an e-bike.
Investigators uncovered cryptic words on shell casings at the scene and recovered items possibly containing DNA evidence.
Authorities are using facial recognition and offering a $10,000 reward for tips. NYC Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the attack was premeditated and involved a silencer. Motive remains unknown.
Researchers think the southern giant hornets likely made a nest, but they are still looking for it.
Summary
Southern giant hornets (“murder hornets”) have been found in Europe for the first time, with sightings in northern Spain in 2022 and 2023.
Native to Asia, these invasive hornets threaten ecosystems by preying on bees and other pollinators, which can harm agriculture and biodiversity.
Researchers believe the hornets arrived via cargo ships and are searching for their underground nest to prevent further spread.
Experts warn the hornets could magnify existing damage caused by another invasive species, Vespa velutina, and suggest stricter port monitoring to prevent further invasions.
Through reviewing posts on X, web archives, leak databases, and other social media profiles, the Observer identified the following individuals as the anonymous operators of neo-Nazi X accounts, which had a collective 500,000 followers at their peak:
Cyan Cruz (40 years old): Marketing professional who has lived in Austin and Amarillo, Texas, operating the X account TheOfficial1984.
Michael Gramer (42 years old): Retired mechanical engineer who has lived in New Hampshire, claimed to own a house in Galveston, Texas, and spent time in Dallas, operating the X account 9mm_SMG.
Robert “Bobby” Thorne (35 years old): Vice president at JP Morgan Chase in Plano, Texas, operating the account Noble1945 and previously Noble_x_x_.
John Anthony Provenzano (30 years old): Lives in Virginia, works at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland, and operates the X account utism_ (formerly JohnnyBullzeye).
“Contrary to predictions” instead makes sense. I've updated the summary.
From your link (translated), the men in the survey didn't seem to engage in whataboutism:
The participants most often experienced psychological violence (40 percent) [including] aggressive shouting, insults and humiliation in front of others. 39 percent suffered from the controlling behavior of the partner, isolation and permanent blame. 30 percent would also experience physical violence...
...
...With regard to their own perpetratorship, more than half of the men stated that they had used violence in a relationship themselves, about a quarter see themselves in both the victim and the perpetrator role.
Thanks for the info. I've updated the post summary with it.
Thanks. I've updated the summary to reflect your info.
It is, but the article seems to conflate post-viral fatigue with long-term fatigue in the grouping:
Post-viral fatigue has long been poorly understood, and for many years was often dismissed as psychological. But this long-term fatigue with varying degrees of severity has been linked to infections ranging from Sars to Ebola, Epstein-Barr virus and influenza, as well as infections with tick-borne pathogens such as the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease.
Thanks, I've updated the link.
Agreed. I tried browsing those posts, but the pinned comments made it really frustrating to navigate for me.
Exactly, I think the real intent here is to cause delays and spread confusion.
The US Constitution already resolves this issue with federal preemption under the Supremacy Clause. Basically, Pennsylvania’s residency requirements apply to all elections within the state: local, state, and federal. However, in federal elections, federal law preempts and overrides any conflicting state laws. These challenges have been filed in bad faith.
At least not everyone:
Israeli media and other observers expressed skepticism about the articles, which appeared to support Netanyahu’s demands in the talks and absolve him of blame for their failure.
From reading the article, it's possible nuclear arms race, military tech transfer, and refugee crisis to name a few:
But Kim’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric against Seoul has the South once again debating whether it should have its own nuclear arsenal. North Korean troops on a Ukrainian battlefield would only further unravel Beijing’s plans.
...
Experts say Beijing is just as worried as the West about what military technology Putin might sell to Kim in exchange for troops.
“Satellites, for sure,” Mr Foster-Carter says. “But Putin is bad – not mad. Russia knows just as China knows that North Korea is a loose cannon. Giving [Kim] more technology for nukes is not a good thing for anybody.”
Experts believe Xi is unlikely to do anything drastic because China needs a stable North Korea – if he cuts off aid, he would likely have a refugee crisis at the border.
Below are all the GOP lawmakers that voted against that bill:
House:
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Representative James Baird of Indiana
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Representative Troy Balderson of Ohio
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Representative Jim Banks of Indiana
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Representative Aaron Bean of Florida
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Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona
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Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida
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Representative Dan Bishop of North Carolina
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Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado
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Representative Mike Bost of Illinois
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Representative Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma
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Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee
-
Representative Eric Burlison of Missouri
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Representative Kat Cammack of Florida
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Representative Michael Cloud of Texas
-
Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia
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Representative Mike Collins of Georgia
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Representative Eli Crane of Arizona
-
Representative John Curtis of Utah
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Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio
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Representative Byron Donalds of Florida
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Representative Jeff Duncan of South Carolina
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Representative Ron Estes of Kansas
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Representative Mike Ezell of Mississippi
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Representative Randy Feenstra of Iowa
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Representative Brad Finstad of Minnesota
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Representative Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota
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Representative Russell Fry of South Carolina
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Representative Russ Fulcher of Idaho
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Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida
-
Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas
-
Representative Bob Good of Virginia
-
Representative Lance Gooden of Texas
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Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia
-
Representative Morgan Griffith of Virginia
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Representative Michael Guest of Mississippi
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Representative Harriet Hageman of Wyoming
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Representative Andy Harris of Maryland
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Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana
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Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio
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Representative John Joyce of Pennsylvania
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Representative Trent Kelly of Mississippi
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Representative Darin LaHood of Illinois
-
Representative Laurel Lee of Florida
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Representative Debbie Lesko of Arizona
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Representative Greg Lopez of Colorado
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida
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Representative Morgan Lutrell of Texas
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Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina
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Representative Tracey Mann of Kansas
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Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky
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Representative Tom McClintock of California
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Representative Rich McCormick of Georgia
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Representative Mary Miller of Illinois
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Representative Max Miller of Ohio
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Representative Cory Mills of Florida
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Representative Alex Mooney of West Virginia
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Representative Barry Moore of Alabama
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Representative Nathaniel Moran of Texas
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Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina
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Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee
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Representative Gary Palmer of Alabama
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Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania
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Representative Bill Posey of Florida
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Representative John Rose of Tennessee
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Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana
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Representative Chip Roy of Texas
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Representative David Schweikert of Arizona
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Representative Keith Self of Texas
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Representative Victoria Spartz of Indiana
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Representative Claudia Tenney of New York
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Representative William Timmons of South Carolina
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Representative Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey
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Representative Beth Van Duyne of Texas
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Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin
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Representative Mike Waltz of Florida
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Representative Randy Weber of Texas
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Representative Daniel Webster of Florida
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Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas
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Representative Roger Williams of Texas
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Representative Rudy Yakym of Indiana
Senate:
- Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee
- Senator Mike Braun of Indiana
- Senator Katie Britt of Alabama
- Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina
- Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho
- Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska
- Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee
- Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri
- Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin
- Senator Mike Lee of Utah
- Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas
- Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma
- Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky
- Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska
- Senator James Risch of Idaho
- Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri
- Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina
- Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
Not entirely sure what you're getting at. Are you suggesting that Taiwanese Indigenous people might have a problem that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is older than the PRC?
Looks like AP dropped the ball on this one because that's not what the prosecutors said. They said:
...With his co-conspirators, LOPEZ REYES set up dozens of online pharmacy websites, designed to appear legitimate in order to lure customers into buying, at reduced prices, tablets of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and methamphetamine disguised as real prescription medications, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, Adderall, and Xanax, among others...
OP's own “article” is copying exact sections from this Ars Technica article without giving proper credit: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/09/dell-says-sales-team-must-work-on-site-5-days-a-week-to-drive-productivity/
Yep and as recent as 2014:
The national campaign to ban geoengineering can be traced back to Rhode Island in 2014, when a lawmaker looked to the sky and saw a conspiracy.
…
Ms. MacBeth’s beliefs are better known as the “chemtrails” conspiracy theory, which posits that airplanes are secretly emitting dangerous chemical trails, as opposed to water vapor naturally released as condensation from planes’ engines, which turns to visible trails of ice crystals in the cold air. There is no evidence supporting the chemtrails theory, which has attracted many followers through social media.
TikTok is fighting a possible US ban in January 2025 and was in court last week to argue the questions that you're raising: https://www.npr.org/2024/09/16/g-s1-23194/tiktok-us-ban-appeals-court